The Drama-Free Workplace with Patti Perez

Are you a hopeless romantic? Are you on the lookout for love? Do you dream of finding the Pam to your Jim, or vice versa? We end up spending a lot of time with people at our workplaces, but what happens when a co-working relationship gets a little bit hotter than reviewing each other's spreadsheets? Find out today, as we get spicy in...I'm just a gigolo… Part Two!In the episode, we are given Patti's infamous Gigolo story, holding its claim to fame as the only one of her cases that ever went to litigation. In Part One, we addressed dating co-workers in the workplace, but in this episode, Patti and Katie discuss the inherent risks of a Boss/Subordinate dating. While there are certainly examples of this working out in the long run, the chances are a lot less likely than your average Rom-Com may lead you to believe!Check out THIS article referenced in the podcast, as well as stats quoted from Patti's book HERE. If you have yet to give Part One a listen, you can do so HERE! To learn more about Patti Perez and PersuasionPoint, check out our other offerings HERE.  You can also follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

In honor of our recent webinar led by Dr. Rochelle Johnson, this week, we wanted to re-release an episode from the Intersectionality Series that Dr. J joined us for last season. For more on Dr. J, check out her coaching offerings HERE.Instant Replay:In this episode, Patti welcomes friend and colleague Dr. Rochelle Johnson Benning to not just the podcast but also the PersuasionPoint team. Dr. Johnson Benning shares about herself, her career journey and paths, and the overarching connections between intersectionality and mental health. She and Patti gear up for the next episode, where they'll talk about just how all of these connections are influenced and affected by the pandemic and our workplaces, especially for working mothers.Concepts & DefinitionsIntersectionality: The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.The Looking-Glass Self: The process wherein individuals base their sense of self on how they believe others view them.Affinity Bias: The unconscious tendency to get along with others who are like us. It is easy to socialize and spend time with others who are not different. It requires more effort to bridge differences when diversity is present.Double Bind: A dilemma in communication in which an individual (or group) receives two or more conflicting messages, with one negating the other.Books & Other ResourcesWhy Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? By Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhDLean In - Women in the Workplace 2020 Report

In honor of our recent webinar led by Dr. Rochelle Johnson, this week, we wanted to re-release an episode from the Intersectionality Series that Dr. J joined us for last season. For more on Dr. J, check out her coaching offerings HERE.Instant Replay:In the final episode of the Intersectionality Series, Dr. Rochelle Johnson Benning and Patti talk about how interconnected each dimension of self-care is with the resilience necessary to avoid burnout. They highlight everything from the often-overlooked social aspect of wellbeing to financial wellness and the validity of different types of coping skills.We live in a time and place where self-care is deemed a reward instead of a necessity. Patti and Dr. Johnson Benning challenge that notion, diving deeper into what it means to truly take care of yourself to avoid burnout - a dangerous side effect of not acknowledging and working toward a healthier work/life endurance (as opposed to work/life balance).RESOURCES AND CONCEPTS MENTIONEDDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental DisordersThe Six Dimensions of WellnessEmotion-Focused and Problem-Focused CopingTo learn more about Patti Perez, Dr. Rochelle Johnson, and PersuasionPoint, check out our other offerings HERE.  You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Do you find yourself constantly reaching for a refill of coffee? Do you yearn for five more minutes in bed in the morning? Do you find yourself having a hard time shutting your brain off for a good night's rest? In this special episode, Patti Perez and Dr. Rochelle Johnson (Dr. J) discuss why sleep is the most crucial part of wellness. So join us, as we daydream of catching some good ZZZs.Episode Highlights include: Why bedtimes are not just for kids, and the importance of finding your Circadian rhythm. The myth of “busy,” and why getting less sleep is not a badge of honor!  Why listening to your body when it comes to sleep is so important.More from Dr. J!Sign up for our free webinar Imposter Syndrome is B.S.!Want to set up a coaching session with Dr. J? Schedule a time to meet with Rochelle HERE.Interested in assessing your team's motives and strengths to improve your working relationships? We're Core Strength certified facilitators who use the Strengths Deployment Inventory (SDI) assessment to provide one-of-a-kind team performance booster workshops.For more words of wisdom on getting a good night's sleep, check out this resource.To learn more about Patti Perez, Dr. Rochelle Johnson, and PersuasionPoint, check out our other offerings HERE.  You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Are you a hopeless romantic? Are you on the lookout for love? Do you dream of finding the Pam to your Jim, or vice versa? We end up spending a lot of time with people at our workplaces, but what happens when a co-working relationship gets a little bit hotter than reviewing each other's spreadsheets? Find out today, as we get spicy in...I'm just a gigolo…In the episode, we address dating co-workers in the workplace! We reached out to our friends on Linkedin and Instagram to help give us their thoughts and experience on dating in the workplace. Want to be included in the future? Follow the below accounts for your chance to answer our questions and ask your own!Our brand new PersuasionPoint Instagram accountPatti on InstagramPatti on LinkedinKatie on InstagramKatie on LinkedinEpisode Highlights include:Treating employees like adults… oh yeah and unnecessary love contracts...Etiquette for dating in the workplace.And some great advice for asking a coworker out, or being asked out.For more words of wisdom on dating in the workplace, check out Patti's feature for Esquire Magazine HERE.Pop Culture Check!In today's episode, we referenced 80's and early 00's greatness; as well as sitcom gold! Unsure of what we were talking about? Check out the below links to stay in the know:I'm Just a Gigolo by David Lee RothGigolo by Nick CannonCocktails- Season 3, Episode 18 of The OfficeTo learn more about Patti Perez and PersuasionPoint, check out our other offerings HERE.  You can also follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.

“Don't bring that up.” “Now is not the time or place for that discussion.” “Mind your business.” There are many times where we have been told certain topics are too taboo for the workplace. But, has making topics taboo actually helped us in the long run? Join Patti and Katie as they take you there in Like a Prayer…In the episode we address three main concepts:The importance of going beyond “tolerance” in the workplace and giving each other space and grace. Check out THIS handout to see our model for creating a culture transformation.The importance of emotional intelligence to be a good co-worker. (Read the room friends!) For more information on emotional and social competence, check out Patti's book, The Drama-Free Workplace, sold at a bookseller near you.The steps behind successful bystander intervention. Checkout some of the research on the topic HERE. For a quick handout on the steps for successful bystander intervention, click HERE.To learn more about Patti Perez and PersuasionPoint, check out our other offerings HERE. You can also follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Have you ever traveled abroad and said something or made a gesture that, as it turns out, means something entirely different in that country, language or culture? Have you ever tried to communicate with someone who doesn't speak the same language as you do? Do you just speak more slowly and more loudly to be understood? In today's episode of the “You Can't Make This Sh*t Up” series, join Patti and Katie as they explore these questions and more. So let's talk about seco, baby... Join us as we delve into common investigation issues including the prevalence of immature behavior at work (intentional and unintentional), debunking the myth that behavior falls into the good/bad or right/wrong dichotomy, the age-old belief of the “he said she said” fallacy, and how these issues can lead to employees feeling like they don't belong, or that the are being treated unfairly.Other material referenced in this episode:Check out the Drama-Free Workplace Playlist HERE!Interested in how this playlist came to be? Check out Patti's article on making the playlist HERE.Want to learn more about how to conduct a kick-butt investigation? Check out our website HERE!To learn more about Patti Perez and PersuasionPoint, check out our other offerings HERE.

Do Cheaters have spots or stripes? Whoops sorry. Cheetahs… I meant Cheetahs… Do cheetahs have spots or stripes? This week, Patti starts her new series, You Can't Make That Sh*t Up. In this inaugural episode titled, Cheetah Porn. Joined again by Katie Foggiano, Patti shares the final swan song of her investigations, involving cheaters, embezzlement, and of course… Cheetah Porn. 

This week, Patti introduces a new series format for the podcast, focusing on getting back to her roots - keeping workplaces free of drama. This episode also has a special surprise guest, Katie Foggiano, PersuasionPoint's Director of Operations (aka the Human Swiss Army Knife).Patti and Katie start by dissecting Katie's favorite quote from The Drama-Free Workplace, “A culture that is healthy, inclusive, and respectful, can and should be fun.” For more amazing quotes like this, check out Patti's book, The Drama-Free Workplace HERE.Patti discusses her podcast “funk,” and the new plans for her upcoming continuous segment called, “You Can't Make This Sh*t Up.” In this segment she will explore the real-life drama that she experienced in her investigations (over 1,200 of them!). She'll explore how the issues affect employees and leaders at all levels, and how you can best prevent and manage workplace drama!Other material referenced in this episode:8 Ways You're Making Yourself Miserable at Work8 Ways You're Making Your Employees Miserable The Missing DEI Link: Radically Fair Workplace Investigations To learn more about Patti Perez and PersuasionPoint, check out our other offerings HERE.

In this episode, Patti delves into the top three emerging trends she is seeing in the workplace. In the first episode of this two-part series, she discusses Reimagining HR departments, a focus on holistic well-being, and why companies need to start preparing for Gen Z in the workplace.On Reimagining HR DepartmentsStudies on Lack of Trust:https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2020/04/06/serious-lack-of-trust-in-hr-continues-into-the-coronavirus-outbreak/https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-top-3-priorities-for-hr-leaders-in-2021/Call to Action:Rework policiesGo further than policies and write manifestos, bills of rights, guaranteesFocus on language that is employee-centric rather than profit-centricOn Focusing on Holistic Well-Being Studies Referenced on Well-being:https://www.forbes.com/sites/colleenreilly/2020/07/07/the-rise-of-the-chief-wellbeing-officer/?sh=25135de81fcehttps://www.forbes.com/sites/colleenreilly/2020/10/06/chief-well-being-officer-takes-a-collective-approach-to-solve-burnout/?sh=67c480942f98Call to Action:If you're a large company, consider appointing someone who is in charge of well-being. Provide financial wellness educationPromote EAPsHave a speaker talk about mental health issues, burnout, etc.Host a lunch (or series of lunches) and learn about any of these topicsOn Preparing for Gen-Z in the WorkplaceWhat does VUCA mean?A phrase often used by (or to describe the experience of) Gen Z is VUCA:V = Volatility: the nature and dynamics of change, and the nature and speed of change forces and change catalysts.U = Uncertainty: the lack of predictability, the prospects for surprise, and the sense of awareness and understanding of issues and events.C = Complexity: the multiplex of forces, the confounding of issues, no cause-and-effect chain, and confusion that surrounds the organization.A = Ambiguity: the haziness of reality, the potential for misreads, and the mixed meanings of conditions; cause-and-effect confusion.References on Gen-Z:http://persuasionpoint.com/gen-z-law-firms-pt3/https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/understanding-generation-z-in-the-workplace.htmlCall to Action:Introspection: don't assume what you know about Millenials applies to Gen-ZAct: Gen-Z and young Millenials expect companies they work with to be partners contributing to a just societyTo learn more about Patti Perez and PersuasionPoint, check out our other offerings HERE

In the final episode of the Intersectionality Series, Dr. Rochelle Johnson Benning and Patti talk about how interconnected each dimension of self care is with the resilience necessary to avoid burnout. They highlight everything from the often-overlooked social aspect of wellbeing to financial wellness and the validity of different types of coping skills.We live in a time and place where self care is deemed a reward instead of necessity. Patti and Dr. Johnson Benning challenge that notion, diving deeper into what it means to truly take care of yourself to avoid burnout - a dangerous side effect of not acknowledging and working toward a healthier work/life endurance (as opposed to work/life balance).As the newest member of the PeruasionPoint team, Dr. Johnson brings with her Work/Life and Well-Being coaching to our clients. Podcast listeners are invited to reach out and book a discovery session on how to work 1:1 with Dr. Johnson and/or join the waitlist for our upcoming Rising Leaders academy, scheduled to launch early 2021!RESOURCES AND CONCEPTS MENTIONEDDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental DisordersThe Six Dimensions of WellnessEmotion-Focused and Problem-Focused Coping

Dr. Johnson Benning and Patti continue to offer strategies for resilience building that speaks to where resilience meets intersectionality. Just like you can't separate intersectionality and its psychological effects during a global pandemic and a contentious election, you can't separate out building resilience. In an age where what seems simple is also radical, finding meaning in simplicity often requires a critical eye on what works, what doesn't, and why. Dr. Johnson Benning creates the mental health nerd's version of the hierarchy of needs and Patti discusses getting creative with building your resilience toolkit.Up next: Who's ready for RESILIENT SELFCARE? I know we sure are!Books & Other ResourcesThe strong woman complexNPR's Hidden Brain - Laughter: The Best MedicineBrené Brown

Dr. Johnson Benning is back, continuing to chat with Patti about intersectionality especially as it relates to young women of color. They talk about the impossibility of compartmentalization, the layers that bring intersectionality and mental health together, and the concept of work/life endurance.From little traumas to big Trauma, Dr. Johnson Benning discusses compounding stressors, including microaggressions, that lead to poor physical and mental health, and how that increases exponentially for BIPOC during not only a global pandemic, but also as our nation faced one of the most (if not *the* most) contentious elections. Patti frames the insights and information around what this could, does, and will continue to mean for working parents, particularly working mothers, who are faced with heightened socio-economic and political issues that intersect with all the parts of self a woman of color must hold.This episode sets the conversation for the next: Strategies we all need to build resilience.Resources MentionedMore on Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw and her workNotre Dame's Here's the Why seriesThe Washington Post Op Ed: My Southeast D.C. Zip code shouldn't be my health destiny

In this episode, Patti welcomes friend and colleague Dr. Rochelle Johnson Benning to not just the podcast but also the PersuasionPoint team. Dr. Johnson Benning shares about herself, her career journey and paths, and the overarching connections between intersectionality and mental health. She and Patti gear up for the next episode, where they'll talk about just how all of these connections are influenced and affected by the pandemic and our workplaces, especially for working mothers.Concepts & DefinitionsIntersectionality: The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.The Looking-Glass Self: The process wherein individuals base their sense of self on how they believe others view them.Affinity Bias: The unconscious tendency to get along with others who are like us. It is easy to socialize and spend time with others who are not different. It requires more effort to bridge differences when diversity is present.Double Bind: A dilemma in communication in which an individual (or group) receives two or more conflicting messages, with one negating the other.Books & Other ResourcesWhy Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? By Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhDLean In - Women in the Workplace 2020 Report

In this episode, Patti introduces a new series on the concept of intersectionality and links it to pay inequity. She specifically looks at the lowest paid of all workers - Latinas who earn only 54 cents on the dollar compared to white men.Latina Equal Pay Website: https://www.latinaequalpay.org/Kimberle Crenshaw TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberle_crenshaw_the_urgency_of_intersectionality?language=en Lean In page on Latina Pay Equity: https://leanin.org/data-about-the-gender-pay-gap-for-latinas#the-pay-gapAmerica Ferrera article in Fortune Magazine: https://fortune-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/fortune.com/2020/10/29/america-ferrera-latinas-equal-pay-act-wage-gap/amp/ 

In this episode, I conclude the Gloria and Archie saga by not only answering the four specific questions posed (the four separate concerns Gloria identified), but I also focus on how to eliminate bias from next steps, and guide listeners through a framework on how to get things back on track after an investigation.Specifically, Patti takes us through:What other work was accomplished to reach a conclusionWho else to interview?Review documents and documentation.And, in some cases (not with this investigation), site visits and gather outside information.From here, we can start answering the critical questions:How do I analyze and dissect that information?How do I determine credibility?How do I reach a reasonable conclusion?Remember, the investigator won't reach a conclusion about whether Archie is racist. An investigator's job is to discover the truth as it relates to the factual allegations.

Join me in the continuing saga of Gloria and Archie. Gloria says Archie has shown himself to be racially biased, but Archie says he's not...although he admits he speaks his mind. In this episode, I go over how I analyzed the evidence I collected and share some of the fascinating stories from other investigations I conducted during my years as a workplace sleuth.

In today's episode, we hear from Archie, the colleague Gloria accused of spewing anti-diversity sentiments at diversity committee meetings (and engaging in other behavior Gloria found questionable or inappropriate). Hear how Archie responds to these accusations and hear more insight on how to make sure your workplace investigation interviews set the right tone, create the right environment, and help you get to the truth.

Patti introduces her new series - "Stories from the Trenches" - a re-enactment of real-life investigations she conducted in her 20+ year career as a workplace sleuth.In this episode, Patti interviews Gloria, an employee who is sick and tired of having to hear her colleague, Archie, spew anti diversity comments. As the mother of biracial children and an ally to the other diverse members of her team, Gloria talks to Patti about her concerns.​If you'd like to learn more about conducting workplace investigations, I'll be teaching a class this fall, I'll be teaching a course through UCSD (the University of California, San Diego) called "Mastering Workplace Investigations." I'd love for you to join me if you enjoyed seeing (hearing) my work play out in my re-enactment episodes. Classes start October 12, are online, and asyncronous. Click here to find out more.​Or, if you prefer more one-on-one interaction, and want to learn more about my workplace investigative trainings, don't be shy about sending me an email at Patti@PersuasionPoint.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Patti shares stories and comments she's hearing from the trenches - in surveys measuring employee sentiment and what she's hearing in focus groups - about the need for workplace justice, and the need to create environments that are radically inclusive. She also shares family and other stories to drive home the point that the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion must work together if an organization is authentic about its commitment to make DEI a core business component.

Dr. G opens up about the struggles that made her realize she was the victim of burnout. After making significant changes - and dealing with the grief associated with losing a baby and working too much - she was able to once again love her career as an emergency medicine doctor...not to mention enjoying her husband and three children. Dr. G also provides us with the realities of bias - the bias she herself faces as a Black female doctor, and the bias her patients of color often face. She breaks down some of the most prevalent biases that cause great harm to people of color, and offers historical information about inequities related to our healthcare system. And make sure to stay tuned until the end to hear her talk about the joys of being a Jamaican immigrant!

In this powerful conversation, Prof. Al Tillery, a professor of political science at Northwestern University where he also serves as the Director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy, talks about the history of systemic racism. He provides his keen insight - personal and professional - to help explain how we get to where we are today. He also shares some incredibly powerful personal stories, including living as a lynching survivor. We end the episode talking about how we can take these lessons learned to improve our workplaces, and Prof. Tillery, ever the optimist, encourages all of us to continue to be hopeful for a better tomorrow!About My Guest: Alvin B. Tillery, Jr. is the principal of Analytic Insights Consulting, LLC. He is an award-winning scholar of diversity and leadership in the field of political science. Tillery holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University. He is the founding director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy at Northwestern University. His research in American politics focuses on American political development, racial and ethnic politics, and media and politics. His research in political theory focuses on American political thought and critical race theory. His book Between Homeland and Motherland: Africa, U.S. Foreign Policy, and Black Leadership in America (Cornell University Press, 2011) won the W.E.B. Du Bois Distinguished Book Award from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. His papers have appeared in Studies in American Political Development, Political Research Quarterly, and Journal of Black Studies. He is currently completing a book that examines African-American attitudes toward immigration between 1850 and 1965. Check out Al's website HERECheck out Al's DEI online course HERE About Us: Can you imagine life with no drama? Drawing on wisdom from her Salvadoran immigrant roots, stories from her (almost) 30-year career as an attorney (don't hold that against her), workplace investigator and best-selling author, Patti Perez will make you laugh, cry and think – but most importantly she will motivate you to act by providing practical advice to manage and resolve conflict, at work and beyond.Check out our other services HERE References:In the episode- Al discusses being a lynching survivor. Check out the below links to see how lynching is still prevalent in America today:Washington PostAnti-Racism Daily Al also discusses instances around his father not being able to receive his Veteran Benefits after his service in WWII. Check out the below link to find more information on the history of Black Veteran Benefits: History of Black Veterans BenefitsAdditional Links:Connect on LinkedIn:Patti PerezAlvin Tillery (guest)

Patti Perez shares a bit more about her background to help explain why she has such a deep passion for helping organizations achieve their diversity, equity and inclusion goals. Stay tuned until the end to hear some practical ways that you can contribute to a more inclusive and equitable culture.

Welcome to The Drama-Free Workplace podcast, with your host, Patti Perez. If you're interested in figuring out ways to keep drama out of your life - at work and beyond - then this is the podcast for you! I use a blend of humor, know-how (with nearly 30 years working as an attorney, investigator, HR pro), guidance (as the author of the best-selling book, The Drama-Free workplace), and wisdom from my Latino (Salvadoran, to be precise) roots to guide listeners through an informative and entertaining journey. Mine is a true variety show, covering psychology, human behavior, law, corporate culture, family, faith, bias, race, communication, leadership and much more. Get ready for a podcast that sometimes includes me talking about a specific topic, sometimes includes a guest (or several) to explore issues more deeply, and sometimes includes a Spanish telenovela-style approach to walk you through some of the real-life drama I've managed and resolved as part of my work. I'm thrilled to have you on this journey with me!